Mighty Warrior

Jeremiah 20:7-13

7 O LORD, Thou hast enticed me, and I was enticed, Thou hast overcome me, and hast prevailed; I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me.

8 For as often as I speak, I cry out, I cry: 'Violence and spoil'; because the word of the LORD is made a reproach unto me, and a derision, all the day.

9 And if I say: 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name', then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I weary myself to hold it in, but cannot.

10 For I have heard the whispering of many, terror on every side: 'Denounce, and we will denounce him'; even of all my familiar friends, them that watch for my halting: 'Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.'

11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty warrior; therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be greatly ashamed, because they have not prospered, even with an everlasting confusion which shall never be forgotten.

12 But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, that seest the reins and the heart, let me see Thy vengeance on them; for unto Thee have I revealed my cause.

13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD; for He hath delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evil-doers.

Photo II

These are three photos from my photography class last semester.

Pray, please!!!

Baylee Ellis and I have the opportunity to intern for an orphanage called Good Shepherds Fold, this summer. It is located in Uganda! And, yes...these are actual pictures of the children there.
I love Africa.
Anyways, we will know hopefully by the end of the week whether we are accepted or not. Please keep us in your prayers as we are waiting for the Lord to reveal His will with this opportunity. Thanks!

Don't go just for the bracelet.

This photograph was taken this past summer during a mission journey. I was sitting on the plane, awaiting the departure from Lima,Peru back to the States. On my wrist are all the bracelets I bought during the mission journey to Peru. Some were bought at the Inca market with my best friend Whitney Stephenson, and some were made by a friend Eddinson, who lived in the village where we stayed.
As I was looking through old photographs from the trip, I thought that this one in a way resembles what most people look for in mission trips. They want to say "been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt ( in this case, the bracelet)" Sometimes, even showing their physical items of experience rather than allowing God to be glorified through their spiritual growth. The deeper motivation for going on mission journeys is because the Lord called you to spread the gospel to all nations. However, sometimes Satan can attack my heart in such a way that momentary distractions can creep into my life, and from what I know my purpose should be.
Personally, i love traveling to other countries. Taking souvenirs home with me is all part of the experience. But, honestly sometimes my heart can be so consumed with what I am taking back with me tangibly, that I forget what I am leaving behind spiritually. In the same manner, we can examine our lives to this same concept. Are we being so consumed with all the souvenirs of this life, that we forget the purpose God has for us here on Earth?

As you are going...

God is so good. He never fails to show Himself in ways in which are unexpected. He is in the big things as well as the little ones. "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made." John 1:3 (I wish I could always remember this fact.)

A recent encounter created and predestined by God occurred Friday on the University of Memphis campus. Baylee Ellis, a close friend and sister in Christ, and I were making our way through the campus going to the Library to look up some books she needed for one of her classes. After we finished at the library, we had a craving for some iced coffee.

The Lord had made an especially beautiful day, and the weather was enticing our urge to get something cold and caffeinated. :)
As we were leaving the Tiger Den, Starbucks in hand, we decided to sit on this concrete block next to the art building and take time to chat more about the Lord together.

We had been previously talking about how the Lord created males and females differently and how even in these differences, the Lord created them to glorify Himself. We had also been talking about the idea of what "witnessing" really meant. Should it be scheduled? or should it fit under the concept of an "as you are going" lifestyle. Referenced in Matthew 28:18-20 " 18.And Jesus came and said to them " All authority has been given to Me.19. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,20. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (ESV)

While we were enjoying the weather and talking about God, a man by the name of Robert caught our attention. He was pushing a trash can in front of where we were sitting into the art building. As he was passing by us, He turned and spoke to Baylee and I. He fist mentioned how cute i was dressed, and of course i was flattered but also felt a little awkward. However, as he continued talking the attitude of the conversation took an unexpected turn. Robert began telling Baylee and I how great the Lord was, and how He had someone special for our husbands. He quoted scripture saying, "the Lord will give you the desires of our heart", but he also stressed the greatest gift and thing in life, salvation. Everything that the world has to offer can never lead to fulfillment. He continued talking to Baylee and I for a few more more minutes about God, and his walk with the Lord.

After Robert left, Baylee and I sat in complete silence. Baylee then said how the scripture which talked about entertaining angels popped into her head as Robert was speaking to us. In Astonishment, I said the same thing. That exact scripture crossed my mind, as we were fellowshipping with Robert!!!! Did we just see the Lord at work?! Of course! It was by no accident that Baylee and I had just been discussing about men and women (relationships) and out of the blue, Robert approached Baylee and I and told us about how the Lord has someone in store for us. There is no way Robert could have know what was on our hearts and what we were sharing, but the Lord did. Isn't it awesome how God knows and sees all, yet still decides to be part of our lives, to be the CHIEF cornerstone and share with us the truth in His living and active word? ( I am not saying that Robert was an angel, but I do know that we both thought about that exact scripture reference, which was encouraging in itself)

It was so encouraging getting to know Roberts' heart and see how open he was in sharing Christ with people he comes into contact with. He was living a life that speaks truth into the idea of an "as you are going" Christian. Robert did not expect or schedule -"run in with two girls in front of the Art building" on Friday's agenda, but he did expect one thing; for the Lord to move in his life, as he daily walked in Him.

I then in turn had to come to the sad reality that there have been many times that I have stolen the same joy and encouragement Baylee and I had just experienced, from so many people who the Lord had showed me to speak to, and I in disobedience said "No, not now".